Hello,

I'm looking for solutions to help track inventory in a certain small retail store. The store currently uses "manual entry" registers (i.e., the clerk enters the price and category of the item from memory). We'd like to find a good solution to track inventory, using barcodes, on a daily basis.

Ideally, I'm looking for a handheld device that scans barcodes and allows a person to enter the quantity on hand, etc. It should be able to store the prices of about 50 items, and be able to calculate the daily sales based on change in inventory. I would prefer a non-computer based application, that is, something handheld that will just give the sales figures on the screen.

If it helps, here's an explanation of the specific application that I'm looking into using such a system for:
A retail location that sells state instant lottery tickets, which (in the past) has had employee theft problems. We calculate (manually) the dollar amount of how many tickets were sold by observing the change in inventory, and then compare these figures with the amount that the clerks "ring up" on the registers. This sort of tracking is really only needed for this one purpose.


Thanks for any help or suggestions!
Ryan

There are a lot of options out there look at this link Retail Management Software
most of them are computer applications. I know that you would prefer not to use a computer but there are shareware programs out there you can get for free.

Below is a link to a hand held scanner and a description

PDA / Palm Inventory tracking software - ABC Scan 2006 - Barcode Inventory

ABC Scan 2006 is one of the most simple handheld data collection software applications on the market that provides truly straight-forward configuration, database, and reporting abilities. ABC Scan 2006 is perfect for most basic Inventory, Fixed Asset, Check In/Check Out, and Document Tracking applications.
Using ABC Scan 2006 is as easy as..... ABC.

A. Simply setup your handheld functionality using the easy to use configuration menus. B. Next, configure your database to ensure accurate information reporting using the Import/Export and data table customization menus. C. Lastly, start scanning!

Here is another one you may want to consider pcAmerica - handheld inventory tracking

This is there description:

Symbol Technologies, the industry leader in barcode equipment has recently teamed up with 3Com Corporation to produce the most versatile solution for retail stores. The Symbol SPT-1550 Palm unit combines barcode scanner capability with the hot selling Palm Pilot.
With the built-in barcode scanner, the Palm Pilot makes wireless inventory tracking easier than ever. You can send all information to your computer at the touch of a button.

Pocket Inventory does just exactly that! With the Symbol SPT-1550 and Pocket Inventory you will never have to worry about long lists of inventory on your clipboard again. Simply scan an item "on the floor" and Pocket Inventory will keep a count. When you are done, Pocket Inventory will transmit your entire count to your computer.

You may also make quick changes to cost, price, description to an existing inventory list. as well. With a portable bar code printer, like the Code Ranger Plus from Coginitive Solutions, you can even print Bar Codes from your Palm Pilot!

Here is another one to take a look at:

Mobile Solutions for facilities management, engineers, utilites, and remote data collection. Mobile Database, Intermec, Symbol, TDS, and more